The effect of functional status on fatigue and sleep quality in individuals with gonartrosis

Gonarthrosis is the most common type of osteoarthritis. Fatigue is a prevalent symptom in chronic diseases and is frequently observed in individuals with gonarthrosis. Sleep disturbances are also common among this population. This descriptive study was conducted to determine the effects of functional status on fatigue and sleep quality in individuals with gonarthrosis. The research included 214 individuals diagnosed with gonarthrosis who were admitted to the Orthopedics Department and the Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Center of Kırşehir Training and Research Hospital. Data were analyzed using SPSS-27 software. Descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation) and inferential tests including independent samples t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, One-Way ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis H test, LSD post hoc test, Cronbach's alpha, and Pearson correlation analysis were applied. The mean age of participants was 67.93 years, and the mean disease duration was 7.72 years. Regarding body mass index, 37.9% of the participants were classified as obese. The majority of the participants were women (92.1%), and 88.8% were housewives. Additionally, 64.5% of the participants rated their daily activity level as "poor." The most frequently reported disease duration was 6–10 years (46.3%). It was determined that 59.3% of the participants had undergone surgery on the right knee, 22.4% on the left knee, and 18.2% on both knees. According to the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), 95.3% of the participants were evaluated as chronically fatigued, and based on the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), 58.9% were identified as having poor sleep quality. The results demonstrated a significant relationship between functional status, fatigue, and sleep quality in individuals with gonarthrosis (p<0.05). Sociodemographic and clinical factors such as age, sex, educational level, body mass index (BMI), marital status, and history of chronic disease directly influenced these three variables. Nurses play a critical role not only in managing the clinical symptoms of gonarthrosis but also in developing interventions tailored to individuals' lifestyle, educational background, and support systems. Nursing practices contribute to improving functional capacity, which in turn reduces fatigue and enhances sleep quality. To optimize functional status, individualized exercise programs should be designed, taking into account variables such as age, sex, BMI, and physical capacity. The multidisciplinary collaboration of healthcare professionals—including physiotherapists, nurses, dietitians, and psychologists—is essential for improving functional status, reducing fatigue levels, and enhancing sleep quality in individuals with gonarthrosis.